The meal takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. every Monday at the Memorial Building on East State Street. Another meal was added from 5 to 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month, also at the Memorial Building.

More than a decade ago, four ministers in Salem had an interest in starting a feeding ministry and that's how the Banquet came to pass.

Besides Sassanella, who serves as president of the Banquet board, and Bill Wilkins, the former pastor of Emmanuel Luthern, who serves as treasurer, the other ministers included the late Jack Austin of Salem First Christian Church and Rev. Tom Eisweirth, formerly of St. Paul Catholic Church.

The Banquet relies on the volunteerism of its sponsor groups who take turns cooking a meal, serving it and then cleaning up.

"I'm thrilled at the ongoing response of volunteer sponsor groups. All spots are filled through Christmas," Sassanella said.

Sometime in the spring, all volunteers, donors and sponsoring groups will be honored with their

This past July, Will "Butch" Hallewell of Salem performed a benefit concert for the Banquet as an early kick-off for the 10-year anniversary. Many who attend the Banquet know him as the "guitar man" who occasionally performs for them.